Why am I, a cook, always involved in cases?

Deep in the palace, the winding corridors were like a maze, and Qingluo's voice was like being soaked in honey, with an elusive threat lurking in the sweetness.

Her gaze was like a torch, piercing through Lin Zhiruo's superficial indifference and piercing deep into her soul.

Lin Zhiruo's face was calm, and her response was as cold as ice, like the hardest ice in winter.

"Those fancy words are nothing but lies that we both know in our hearts."

A complex and indistinguishable smile appeared on Qingluo's lips, and her eyes were deep, as if hiding thousands of words.

She hummed in a soft, chilling tone.

"Have you ever thought about the priceless treasure in the heart of the person you cherish most?"

Lin Zhiruo remained silent, feeling confused.

(Whether it was a person or an object, she couldn't give a clear answer.)

Qingluo's voice was like the gentle night breeze, carrying a barely perceptible chill.

"I took away her most precious treasure, the child she considered her life."

Since entering this palace of power struggle, Qingluo has devoted her unconditional loyalty to Concubine Si Lan.

Although this concubine is a woman, she possesses the same tenacity and determination as a man.

Qingluo said softly.

"Empress Si Lan once said that children are a gift from God and we don't need to worry too much."

However, in that era, children's lives were like candles in the wind, fleeting.

"I know very well that Concubine Si Lan spends every night in tears."

Qingluo's voice was low and her head lowered slightly.

Lin Zhiruo seemed to be able to hear the cry from deep in her heart.

The once indestructible head maid was now filled with only regret and self-blame.

With what kind of mood did she serve Concubine Si Lan during these thirteen years?

She never had any emotional attachment, but just devoted herself to her wholeheartedly.

Lin Zhiruo could not understand this deep affection because she had never cherished someone so much and did not know what she really desired.

(Will she accept Lin Zhiruo's next proposal?)

In recent days, Lin Zhiruo's behavior of reading ancient books has undoubtedly aroused Quan Wushuang's vigilance.

Lin Zhiruo knew very well that she could not easily cover up the past like Princess Ai Ling, nor should she cover it up.

After listening to Lin Zhiruo's statement, Quan Wushuang will definitely order the arrest of Qingluo.

And cruel punishment will be inevitable, no matter what the outcome.

The truth of thirteen years ago will eventually come to light.

Therefore, even if Lin Zhiruo was silenced here, it was only a matter of time.

(How could the clever head maid not understand the interests involved?)

Lin Zhiruo could only make one choice, neither to pray for a reduction in punishment nor to object to Concubine Si Lan's placement.

She could only combine the two motives into one and hide the real reason from Concubine Si Lan forever.

Lin Zhiruo knew very well that this act was extremely cruel and was tantamount to pushing the other party into the abyss of death.

However, in her mind, this was the only possible solution.

As a powerless little girl, she could only do this.

"The ending cannot be changed. If the head maid can accept it..."

Lin Zhiruo pleaded, her voice filled with fatigue that was hard to conceal.

She returned to the simple room in the Glass Palace and fell weakly on the hard bed.

Sweat soaked her clothes, sticky and pungent. It was the sweat secreted when she was nervous, with a strong body odor.

She longed to bathe, or at least change her clothes.

She took off her shirt, revealing a strip of cloth wrapped from her chest to her abdomen. It was the oil paper she had prepared to prevent accidents, and it was now tightly wrapped in the cloth.

"Luckily it wasn't used."

She whispered to herself, imagining the pain of being pierced by a sharp blade.

She peeled off the oil paper and put on clean clothes.

Quan Wushuang was extremely confused. Who could have expected that the attempted poisoning of Concubine Dexin would end with the murderer surrendering himself?

In the reception room of the Liuli Palace, Quan Wushuang informed the indifferent maid about this matter.

This matter has been notified to Concubine Yuyao.

"That's what happened. Qingluo came and surrendered herself."

Quan Wushuang said.

The maid reacted calmly and just replied indifferently.

“That’s something to be thankful for.”

"You seem to know something?"

Quan Wushuang always felt that this maid was planning something in secret.

"I am a fool and don't understand what the steward means."

the maid replied.

Quan Wushuang noticed that she seemed to be asking Gao Zhongcheng to collect ancient books.

"Yes, it's a pity that it was all in vain."

Lin Zhiruo's expression was calm, making people wonder if she regarded others as ignorant.

Perhaps it was because Quan Wushuang’s last prank was too extreme that she felt unhappy, but she also felt that she seemed to be like this normally.

She looked at him as if he were a speck of dust. Although it was extremely rude, it actually made people feel refreshed.

"As you said, the motive seems to be to maintain the status of the Fourth Lady."

Quan Wushuang said.

Lin Zhiruo looked at him as if she didn't care.

"Regretfully, Concubine Si Lan has already lost her position as a senior concubine. She will leave the harem and move to a separate palace in the south."

"Is this the cause?"

Lin Zhiruo asked back.

It seems that there is finally some response to the "cat" playing the piano.

"No, this was decided long ago. It was the Emperor's will."

He did not allow her to return to her hometown, but kept her in a secluded palace. Perhaps it was because the love between them for many years still remained.

It was rare for Lin Zhiruo to ask questions on her own initiative, and Quan Wushuang couldn't help but want to test her further.

He stood up and took a step closer, but Lin Zhiruo, for some reason, took a half step back cautiously.

Gao Zhongcheng looked at him in surprise, as if to say, "Look."

It seems that Lin Zhiruo is indeed resentful because of the little prank she played a few days ago.

She showed such strong vigilance that Quan Wushuang was also troubled.

He sat back down in his chair.

The petite maid bowed her head and was about to leave the room when she suddenly stopped.

A trumpet-shaped red flower with branches is inserted on the side as decoration.

"This is what Caiwei just inserted."

"Yes, it's a bit inappropriate."

Lin Zhiruo picked up the flower, pinched the stem and put it into her mouth.

Quan Wushuang was puzzled and walked slowly closer, imitating Lin Zhiruo's movements.

"It's so sweet."

He said.

However, Lin Zhiruo answered calmly.

“It just contains toxins.”

Upon hearing this, Quan Wushuang hurriedly spat out the flower and covered his mouth.

Gao Zhongcheng hurried over with a bottle of water.

"It's okay, not fatal."